Governor honors long-term employees at statehouse reception

INDIANAPOLIS -- More than 300 State of Indiana employees were honored by Gov. Eric Holcomb at the Indiana Statehouse Dec. 3.

The 2018 Governor’s Long-Term Employee Reception (GLTER) warmly welcomed representatives from dozens of state agencies who achieved milestones by serving the Hoosier State for 35 years or more.

The senior member of the group was Bob Vollmer, an Indiana Department of Natural Resources surveyor who began working for the state in 1963. Vollmer, 101, received a standing ovation from fellow employees and guests at the statehouse as he stepped forward to be recognized.

Five others weren’t far behind that amazing tenure, spending half a century as state employees. That short list includes George True (Family and Social Services Administration), Larry Harshman (Department of Revenue), Darlene Hopper (State Department of Health) and Stephen Bates and Ronald Fine (both of the Indiana Department of Transportation).

Gov. Holcomb lauded those in attendance for their ongoing dedication to their fellow Hoosiers. He said the “x-factor” within state employees is “the wisdom, the experience that comes from your years of service, your sacrifices.”

Indiana State Personnel Department Director Britni Saunders conducted the presentation alongside the governor. She said those in attendance have logged a combined 11,620 years of service to the Hoosier State.

“It is my absolute honor to celebrate their years of service to the State of Indiana and its citizens,” Director Saunders said.

Those in attendance took photos with the governor and agency leaders and enjoyed a reception at the close of the ceremony. All employees honored by the program received a commemorative medallion bearing their name, agency, years of service and the seal of the state of Indiana.

Click here to see photos of the reception.

Story by Brent Brown, Indiana State Personnel Department